CHIN 375 Asian Urbanization through Cinema

Urbanization is one of the most prominent social-historical transformations that many Asian countries have experienced since the beginning of the 20th century. Today, the huge wave of rural-urban internal migration in Asian countries represents one of the largest population flows in the world. This course looks into ongoing urbanization as well as related demographic, economic and socio-cultural changes occurring in a number of Asian cities and how the challenges associated with such transformations are portrayed in contemporary cinema. The course looks into metropolises in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. In addition, it also explores diasporic Asian spaces and the subsequent issues regarding race, immigration, identity and sense of place. It combines urban studies with film studies. Taught in English. No prerequisites. This course also qualifies as an elective for Urban Studies, Asian Studies, Media Studies, and Environmental Studies. Chinese 375 is reserved for Chinese majors, who will do certain coursework in Chinese.